Today, we started out with observing several middle school level classes, including a class in Russian Literature and a class in Algebra, referred to as mathematics. During the Russian language lesson, students were extremely well behaved. I was impressed with how the students hurry to enter the room and stand next to their desk. When the bell rings the teacher will instruct the students to take their seats. They seem to all sit in unison and listen intently to the lesson at hand. I found the lesson to be structured similar to those of the US. The teacher begins with a review and introduces new information as the lesson progresses. Near the end of the lesson, the instructor assigns some type of written work or pair-share work for the students to complete. In terms of differences, I noticed the students mostly stand when giving their answer. The teacher will also call on a student no matter if they had a hand raised or not. I liked their use of powerpoint and smartboards/projectors. I had a misconception that the school seems old-fashioned, but the classrooms are equipped with teacher technology, but very little student technology. Also, students are not allowed to use their cell phones at any time during class or even during the school day. I can't relate to that.
After observations, we were presented with a cultural performance in the theater by the primary students. It was a collaboration between the primary teachers along with the librarian. I liked how the librarian prepared the information for the show, including facts about their seasons and Russian traditions, while the students each performed a little part.
The most interesting part of the day, was our participation in what they call "Funny Sports". I would relate this to a teacher vs. student relay races, all silly games, but very serious competition. They gave us their school shirt to wear and our team name was "Happy Shovel". I'm still not sure what that really meant as the meaning got lost in translation, but nonetheless it was funny. We had relays with eggs and spoons, balloons and rackets, ball passing, floor hockey, and even a pillow fight on a balance beam. The last event would never fly in my school due to various liabilities. The teacher team ended up winning this heated competition, but for some reason I think the competition was a bit rigged to work in our favor. The crowd chanted our names as we ran the relays, Carrie - Carrie - Carrie. It was a laugh out-loud riot. We had a blast.
After lunch, we visited a sports school associated with our lyceum school. We rode the bus with the students as they left their curricular studies and traveled to their second half of the day with sports training. This school blew away all of my misconceptions that schools in Russia did not have sports. They actually have a lot of sports and value the importance of sports within education. The facility was very nice, but tucked away in a large building. Unlike the US, you would have never known that a sports complex lie within the walls of an old building. I found their facility to be a bit primitive, but noticed the extreme work ethic of the students, pushing themselves much harder that of what I have ever witnessed in the US. I watched the dance students stretch before practice. This form of stretching was a lot harder than I have ever done. I can only compare this to watching Rocky when he came to Russia to train for his fight. Amazing strength, endurance, and persistence was seen in all of the students' faces. I'm still shaking my head in amazement.
Our next three stops were to observe the primary grades, lessons in math, Russian culture, and 1st grade step aerobics. I was surprised to see the students in the 3rd grade math class using laptops to play a math game. In the Russian culture class we made Russian folk dolls that have a legend about being blessings for your family. Russians are very superstitious in many regards and see these dolls as keeping you safe. Some of the students wanted me to have their doll that thye just made as a gift. Once, again, their generosity brought tears to my eyes. I'm taking these home as gifts for my girls. They will love them! Our last class was a group of first graders doing advanced step aerobics. Again, I was impressed with how well behaved and well-trained the students were in the choreography and listening to the instructor. I can relate my experience of coaching my daughter's cheer team, in which I refer to as "herding cats". This was nothing like that.
We then ate a formal dinner with the English as a Foreign Language teachers where they showered us with gifts. From there, we went downstairs to a Charity Fair. This was awesome! For the first time I have finally seen something that resembled my essential question of entrepreneurship. The students had set up booths from which they sold handmade crafts to raise money for charity. I absolutely love the idea of this craft fair and would like to do something similar at my school.
Finally, to we ended the night with a school concert, hosted by the students in coordination with the Charity Fair. The acts included accordion players, singers, traditional Russian dancing, modern dancing, humorous songs (like a song of two cats, only meowing), and piano numbers. We felt like celebrities as we sat front row and the students looked us right in the eyes. It was humbling to see such generosity and compassion toward us. I love these students and teachers! They truly are the best!!
I can't wait until I get home so I can post all of my pictures. These kids are great!
After observations, we were presented with a cultural performance in the theater by the primary students. It was a collaboration between the primary teachers along with the librarian. I liked how the librarian prepared the information for the show, including facts about their seasons and Russian traditions, while the students each performed a little part.
The most interesting part of the day, was our participation in what they call "Funny Sports". I would relate this to a teacher vs. student relay races, all silly games, but very serious competition. They gave us their school shirt to wear and our team name was "Happy Shovel". I'm still not sure what that really meant as the meaning got lost in translation, but nonetheless it was funny. We had relays with eggs and spoons, balloons and rackets, ball passing, floor hockey, and even a pillow fight on a balance beam. The last event would never fly in my school due to various liabilities. The teacher team ended up winning this heated competition, but for some reason I think the competition was a bit rigged to work in our favor. The crowd chanted our names as we ran the relays, Carrie - Carrie - Carrie. It was a laugh out-loud riot. We had a blast.
After lunch, we visited a sports school associated with our lyceum school. We rode the bus with the students as they left their curricular studies and traveled to their second half of the day with sports training. This school blew away all of my misconceptions that schools in Russia did not have sports. They actually have a lot of sports and value the importance of sports within education. The facility was very nice, but tucked away in a large building. Unlike the US, you would have never known that a sports complex lie within the walls of an old building. I found their facility to be a bit primitive, but noticed the extreme work ethic of the students, pushing themselves much harder that of what I have ever witnessed in the US. I watched the dance students stretch before practice. This form of stretching was a lot harder than I have ever done. I can only compare this to watching Rocky when he came to Russia to train for his fight. Amazing strength, endurance, and persistence was seen in all of the students' faces. I'm still shaking my head in amazement.
Our next three stops were to observe the primary grades, lessons in math, Russian culture, and 1st grade step aerobics. I was surprised to see the students in the 3rd grade math class using laptops to play a math game. In the Russian culture class we made Russian folk dolls that have a legend about being blessings for your family. Russians are very superstitious in many regards and see these dolls as keeping you safe. Some of the students wanted me to have their doll that thye just made as a gift. Once, again, their generosity brought tears to my eyes. I'm taking these home as gifts for my girls. They will love them! Our last class was a group of first graders doing advanced step aerobics. Again, I was impressed with how well behaved and well-trained the students were in the choreography and listening to the instructor. I can relate my experience of coaching my daughter's cheer team, in which I refer to as "herding cats". This was nothing like that.
We then ate a formal dinner with the English as a Foreign Language teachers where they showered us with gifts. From there, we went downstairs to a Charity Fair. This was awesome! For the first time I have finally seen something that resembled my essential question of entrepreneurship. The students had set up booths from which they sold handmade crafts to raise money for charity. I absolutely love the idea of this craft fair and would like to do something similar at my school.
Finally, to we ended the night with a school concert, hosted by the students in coordination with the Charity Fair. The acts included accordion players, singers, traditional Russian dancing, modern dancing, humorous songs (like a song of two cats, only meowing), and piano numbers. We felt like celebrities as we sat front row and the students looked us right in the eyes. It was humbling to see such generosity and compassion toward us. I love these students and teachers! They truly are the best!!
I can't wait until I get home so I can post all of my pictures. These kids are great!